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Cannabis Legalization

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Good News Ontarians, legalized cannabis stores are coming your way by 2018!
In Canada, cannabis control has remained a highly debated topic. In 2014, the CAMH Monitor assessed public opinion on topics related to cannabis control from a sample of 2000 participants . Results indicate that the majority of adults in Ontario support the shift in cannabis reform from the prohibitionist method for the control of recreational use . Additionally, the main method of reform supported is a state regulated market for production and distribution of cannabis .
The Ontario government is planning to distribute marijuana through government run stores, similar to the LCBO . This method seemingly aligns with public opinion and demands for the elimination …show more content…

To list a few- retail locations, minimum age requirements and price control- are effective measures of reducing health harms .
Additionally, there is suggestive evidence of the effectiveness of policy with government run retail stores rather than privately operated. Data suggests that public systems on alcohol sales usually have fewer alcohol related harms as opposed to private systems .
In its policy formulation, many Ontarians have revealed that they view the guidelines for the provincial framework as being too strict .
According to David Clement, North American Affairs Manager of the Consumer Choice Center, Ontarians do not want government run stores controlling the market for cannabis .
Clement stated in an interview, “The move to create a cannabis control board will simply replicate the existing issues we see with the LCBO and alcohol. The province should embrace private retail and the wants of consumers ."
It seems as though these illegal operating dispensaries have made a positive impact on Ontarians and public opinion for privately owned cannabis stores in Ontario may be shifting .
The fact remains that these cannabis dispensaries are operating illegally and will not be seen or included as legal retailers in the provincial framework .
Dispensary owners have shared their concerns that shutting down these dispensaries will not help in curtailing the illicit market. Stating that limited number of cannabis stores will to blame .
The Ontario government’s

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